Method and apparatus for molding tiles



Fe, 2, 193 R. DEL v. 2pm@ L@ METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOLDING TILESFiled oei'. 2, 1928 2f sheets-sheet 1 if RD @1v u@ Z @nu er r:

Fell*` 2, 1932. R. DEL v. zl-:Nol

\ METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOLDING TILES Filed 00TH?, 1928 2Sheets-5h96?, 2

FLD ELVa'llE ZET-Lm Patented Feb. 2, 1932 NITED STATESy RAFAEL DEL VALLEZENO, OF HATO vREY, PORTO RICO i METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOLDING TILSApplication `filed October 2, 1928. Serial' No. 309,823.

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for moldingroofing tiles, or the like.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a method whereby tilescan be uniformly molded without the aid of coinplicated machinery.

Anotherl object of the invention is to provide a method wherein a massof material in a pliable state is cut into slabs of uniform thicknesswhich are subsequently molded into the desired form.

Another object of the method is to provide means whereby the slabs afterbeing cut from the mass can be conveniently removed from the mold boxand retained in a flat condition until subjected to the action of themold form.

The method is clearly explained by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of the mold box and table.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 1, and on an enlargedscale.

Figure 4 is a view showing the slabs in the position after being removedfrom the mold box, the pallet and plate being shown in section.

Figure 5 vis a plan view showing the slabs upon the fabric sheet and themold in place upon the slab.

Figure 6 vis a sectional view through the kmold form, slab and fabricsheet, showing the manner in which the fabric sheet is manipulated toform the slab into the proper shape.

1n practicing the method I provide a table 1 having an opening 2 formedtherein in which is normally engaged a follower 3 corresponding in shapeto the opening. This.

opening is of tapered formation and corresponds to the shape of a moldbox 4 which has its lower ends and sides xed to the table 1. The tableis supported by an arcuate bracket 5 the arm 6 thereof being bolted tothe table 1 at opposite ends of the mold box 4. This bracket is providedwith a centrally located bearing 7 which is threaded upon the screwshaft 8, said shaft having a base 9 adapted to be secured in anyapproved manner to a platform 10, or if desired this base can be securedto 'the floor.

The upper end of the screw shaft 8 is rotatably connected to thefollower 3.k

Since the screw shaft 8 is lixed it will be obvious that when the tableis rotated in one direction the follower 3 will be moved upfor the moldbox. It is in this box that the plastic material 11 or mass of properconsistency is placedand tamped, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

A sheet metal plate 12 is placed upon the follower before the mass isdeposited therein, as clearly shown in Figure 2.

Asshown in'Figure 1 the mass of plastic material has been tampedin thebox 4, and when it is desired to force the same upwardly the table isrotated a predetermined distance in order that a portion of the masswill extend above the mold box whereupon a wire is passed through themass to cut thel same into slabs 13, as shown in Figure 3. After thefollower has elevated the entire mass the last slab will rest upon theplate 12. A pallet 13 is then placed along one of the sides of the slabsand the plate 12 tilted, whereupon the slabs can be conveniently liftedand placed upon a support 14 in situ for convenience in handling.

The slabs are molded into tile form by placing the same on a fabricsheet 15 previously placed upon a table or other support. The sheet hascarried by its longitudinal edges rods 16 to facilitate holding of thesheet. A mold form 17 is employed and .is of tapered formation, and maybe formed from any suitable material, said form being placed upon theslab 18 after which the rods f 16 are grasped and drawn upwardly inorder that the sheet 15 will move the slab into intimate contact withthe form, as shown in Figure 6 which can be readily accomplished sinceat this stage of the methodthe slab is pliable. The sheet is thenremoved and the now molded slab is permitted to harden. To moreconveniently remove the sheets the mold form 1'7 is inverted.

5 It will be observed that the sheet will be held tightly folded uponthe slab, whereupon the design or weave `of the sheet will be impartedto the tile to impart thereto an v'attractive appearance. lf it isdesired to impress 1G a design upon both faces of the slab a sheet offabric may be pressed upon the upper face of the slab when in its fiatcondition, and then removed before 'the sheet 15 is folded.

l5 It is essential that the slab be of uniform thickness and in order toaccomplis-h this `the periphery of the table l is graduated in `anyapproved manner, the ,graduation coacting with the vertical rod 18. Thusthe A*table can be rotated a distance lto elevate the mass l1 to a pointof desired thickness after which the wire cutter is passed through themass until a number of slabs have been produced. |The llowermost slabwill remain on the sheet l2 so that it ca'n'be placed inthe position asshown in Figure i for convenience in han'- dl-ing, previous to 'being'subjected to the molding operation.

Vhat is claimed isz-'- A mold comprising a fixed screw, ta bracket onthe screw, a table carried bythe bracket and :provided with an op'ening,a forming member secured to the table in lli-ne with the 'openingtherein, and a follower in the openl ing of the table and mounted uponsaidfscrew and adapted to be :advanced thereby upon rotating the tableVto, project the material from the forming member la 'distance forseverance to provide a slab of desired thick- 4o ness.

In testimony whereof l ai'x my signature.

RAFAEL del VALLE ZENO. [L."S.]

